Ollie Parsons is a multi award-winning,  director of BAFTA Nominated narrative TV and Commercials. 

 

His beautifully crafted work has received critical acclaim for being visually stunning, funny, dramatic and full of heart.  From the big and silly, to the nuanced and satirical he has very attuned comedy and drama instincts. His work  consistently displays his ability to move its audiences - to laugh, to cry, to leave them wanting more. 

 

From Emmy winning A-listers to those new to acting, his performance direction is consistently being praised for its ability to bring the best from a performer. Proof of which being the request from actors, writers and producers to return to direct subsequent seasons. 

 

He has worked with some of the greatest comedy writers in the world including Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche (Succession) and Will Smith (Slow Horses). People he has directed include: Josh Gad, Hugh Laurie, Zach Woods, Rebecca Front, Daisy Haggard, Sally Philips, Peter Capaldi, Martin Freeman, Guz Khan, David Hasslehoff, Daisy May Cooper, Asim Chaudhry, Miranda Hart,  Samuel West, Sir Chris Hoy, R2-D2, C-3PO and Lewis Hamilton. Clients include: The BBC, SKY, ITV, Hat Trick, Tiger Aspect, Avalon, Old El Paso, Nissan, Hyundai, Stowford Press Cider,  Specsavers, Comic Relief and Children in Need to name a few.

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Ollie has just completed Series 4 of the Martin Freeman Series Breeders. Written by Emmy Winning Simon Blackwell (The Thick of It, Veep, Four Lions, Peep Show, In the Loop)

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Ollie  brings a great deal to the material he directs.

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More About Ollie

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Born in Hastings to welder (oil rigs and cars) Peter Parsons (who sadly  killed himself when Ollie was 13) and garage proprietor Diane Parsons (who sadly died a few year later) Ollie’s love of comedy led to him failing all his GCSE’s and ending up working as a carpenter and joiner for 3 years.  He soon realised whilst building roofs on freezing cold council estates that he could no longer spend his time doing left wing stand up to right wing builders and wanted to pursue a life in writing and directing.

With a love of film making since the age of 11 when he “borrowed” a super 8mm camera he showed his  films (now aged 18) to a kindly head of a BTEC course in Eastbourne who blown away by his film making and quick mind let him on the course without the required academic qualifications.

Determined not to end up on a freezing roof again, the work he produced received the highest grades in the country for a BTEC that year. 24 Distinctions out of a possible 24 Distinctions and of such high quality  that it led him to winning National Student of the year and getting into University. It was here he was also diagnosed with dyslexia - trumping his school diagnosis of "idiot".

After graduating Ollie spent his time working as a Creative and Director in advertising (directing over 100 adverts and promos) - honing his technical skills to a high level, whilst writing stand up and various optioned sitcoms. His first long form Directing TV job was the multi - BAFTA nominated, RTS and Broadcast award winning comedy Man Like Mobeen for which he is credited for writing additional material and associate producing. 

 

As well as directing pure comedy, Ollie has shown his skill at directing drama, creating scenes that have the power to move audiences, long after they are over. 

Combining his passion for comedy and performance with his visual flair and technical know-how, Ollie  has been lucky enough to work with some of the biggest writers, producers and performers in comedy.

 

Ollie loves what he does..

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